Reviews by mjw06:

This is pretty run-of-the-mill Sam. Which is disappointing in an American craft beer scene where the American IPA is hailed and given much creativity, complexity and distinction by their respective brewers. There's nothing bad about this beer, but nothing great either.

Great appearance with a slightly creamy head that lasts and leaves a great lacing. The smell is pretty typical and plain, but still present and pleasing. The hop character is slightly distinct from your typical Sam beer, but not much at all. The hops are fuller but a little more balanced into the overall palate. Less astringent and mildly citrusy. Palate is a little more bready and the feel is absolutely wonderful.

There are so many American IPA's out there. Almost TOO MANY, in my humble opinion. As big a brewery that Boston Beer is, it wouldn't make sense for them not to have an IPA, however it's easy for anybody's IPA to get lost in the dust of this large field and for quality's sake, this is misses the mark. Nothing distinct, just a good IPA if your a big Sam fan.

Poured into a nonic a rich clear bronze with a large fluffy white head that left multiple rings of lace as it settled ever so slowly.Aromas are a great mix of herbal,leafy,and citric hop overtop of a English malt base,big caramel and biscuit.A great hop profile on the palate,its herbal,its grassy,and its citric,all three German,American,and English hop profiles going on,a bit of iron,and caramel biscuit malt hold up well to the hops.There isnt many American craft brewers that make a better "standard" American IPA than this,I would gladly drink alot more of this.

Pours a nice amber from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass. A steady pour yields an inch of off white foam which cascades down to offer some frothy lace.

Average smell with only light citric hops that are clean and bright yet offer a little depth. Used too IPA's having a much more hoppy taste and smell but I can live with this. A bit light on the ABV @ 5.8% too. Slightly coarse and drying on the finish. Well balanced carbonation and finish, though a bit sweet and creamy for the style.

48 pours amber-orange with a slight, well-retaining light khaki head. The carbonation is copious and moves swiftly up my snifter. The lacing is quite nice- sticky and cascading like a waterfall.

Caramel malt aromas blend fairly evenly with a grassy and slight citrus hop profile. There is also a biscuit-esque dry character evident. Overall, the grassy hops and biscuit aromas dominate the smell.

A somewhat spicy hop character jumps on my tongue, along with the grassy hop notes that I smelled. Caramel malts do a fairly nice job standing up to the hop combination. The finish hints at sweet citrus hops (orange and tangerine) and a biscuit flavor supports the citrus-hop finish.

Lat. 48 has a solid, creamy medium feel on the middle of my palate, while the hop combination lends a biting crispness to the sides of my mouth. The carbonation complements the other aspects of the feel with it's effervescence. I think the mouthfeel is the finest aspect of this beer.

I will not necessarily seek this out over many other IPAs, but it is interesting enough to have once in awhile. It would certainly be sessionable at 5.8%, as well.

A: It pours a light copper with good clarity and a finger of rocky off-white head. The head has good retention and leave some lacing on the glass.

S: A confusion of a medium Old and New World hops aromas that is mostly citrus and earthy with some and floral notes. There is a moderate malt sweetness with some caramel and bready character. It has a light bit of ale esters mixed with a low alcohol aroma.

T: The hops blend is interesting with medium-strong flavors that are again citrusy and earthy with some spice and floral highlights. There is medium caramel and honey malt sweetness against slighty more hops bitterness making for a balanced] that is modestly bitter. There is a light fruitiness from the ale yeast and a light alcohol in the background.

M: A medium bodied beer with a moderate amount of cabonation. There is slight prickle on the palate and a low warmth.

O: If you're a fan of English IPAs you probably be pleased as this is a reserved American IPA that still has brings a good amount of hops just not as much as I'd like for the style. That being said I do like the hops flavor it's just that I want more flavor, bitterness and aroma in my IPA but this could be the basis for an impressive beer.

I've got mixed feelings about this beer. It's a little dark to be called a pale ale, but that's not new. The nose is made up of leafy, grassy, lemon-limey hops, which is quite apparent in their Noble Pils. The malt bill is doughy and chewier than pils. The lemon-lime hop character is there, which I like, but I liked it first in Noble Pils, and it lacks bitterness. It's a good IPA, and I do enjoy the hops that give it that zest. I just think the Pilsner was great and they should try something new for their IPA besides adding darker, thicker malts. Still a good beer, but when I want an IPA, i'll reach for something else, and when I want that taste, i'll wait for a Noble.

With American, German and English hops in play here, it looks like they are in the IPA game again.

With bright copper color, this beer's head is not shy at all, leaving a trail of lace down the glass. Thick hop oil aroma and flavor is very Sam Adams. Fresh herbs, clementine juice, earthiness and peppercorns are brought to mind. The creamy, medium body leaves an oily and smooth mouth feel. Bitterness is there, but knows how high to jump. Maltiness is modest, yet brings some sweetness and breadiness for the hops to compete with. Hops obviously prevail, but still leave some room for the malt to settle in the semisweet finish.

Hop flavor is more than noticeable. It exhibits Sam Adams style (of course) and is very oily, rather than pungent. It's good to see them still pushing the envelope with regular- strength beers.

Part of the Sam Adams Summer 12 pack.
In a Sam Adams pint glass the beer was copper colored with a thick tan head that retained well. Plenty of lacing.
Aroma of sweet malt and citrus. Vaguely floral. On the muted side.
Mostly grapefruit taste, a little caramel malt. Again, on the timid side.
Not a hop bomb, fairly well-balanced.
Decent IPA.